Nearly everyone that responded said they would be stash busting.   You all are strong!   I sometimes start out stash busting, but it seems I always need something new to finish a project.  

Sue G is our winner.  Start searching through your stash, Sue, for just the right fabrics for Bar Nine by Thistledown & Co.

Happy quilting Sue!

While we’re showcasing Thistledown & Co, I’m sewing the Tea-Lightful pattern.

All the little teacups could have been made from scraps…. I have lots of those…. but I wasn’t in the mood to go digging and measuring.  So I purchased the fabric kit.  It has just the right size scraps of 1930′s fabrics for the teacups and saucers.

I gathered the pattern, the fabric kit, and a yard and a half of white on white.

I had fun playing around with the fabrics getting  just the right (for me!) combinations.

There are templates for cutting the pieces to use with the paper piecing patterns, so you don’t waste fabric.  I think I’m going to wing it.  Now to start sewing . . . . 

The first pattern by Thistledown & Co that you have a chance to win is Bar Nine.  The pattern includes two quilt sizes and placemats.  Pull out your large scale prints and start sewing!

Just leave a comment telling us if you will be “stash busting” or fabric shopping to make this pattern.   A random number generator will select the winner from comments left before Midnight Tuesday.

Linda uses different materials, sizes, and techniques but the one common element seems to be the mood.  Thistledown designs are all bright, cheerful, optimistic and fun… a reflection of the designer.  Lots of them have practicality thrown in for an added bonus.   Hmmm, or are they practical with fun thrown in?  I’ll let you decide.

Among the designs are several coin catchers, such as Kitty Kit.  Each of the coin catcher kits contains all the materials you’ll need….. everything but the coins!

Dolphin Delight is one block of nine from the group of Florida Album blocks.  Instructions include both needle turn applique and fusible applique methods. Also included are the beads used to embellish the block. 

Any of the nine blocks would work as a small wall hanging or could be used to make a decorative pillow, but were designed to go together in this Florida Album Quilt.

Chocolate inspired this 4-patch quilt titled Chocolate Chips.  The colors and values used make this an eye-catching piece.  Instructions are included for three sizes: lap, twin and queen.  It makes me want to break open a box of Fannie May and dig in!  I’ll have to settle for looking at the quilt and munching on some carrot sticks.

This is just a sampling of what Thistledown & Co has to offer.  We’ll be looking at more this week and next.  We’ll be having pattern giveaways.   And don’t miss our interview with Linda.  She’ll be showing us photos of her studio and you’ll get to see who is watching her work. 

Linda is hosting a Stitch Along on her blog.  I’m going to be stitching along with her…. why don’t you join us?   Here’s the fabric requirements:

1-1/4 yards of a print focus fabric 
1/2 yard of a dark (I’m using the red)
1/4 yard of a light (I’m using the pink & white check)
1/4 yard EACH of 4 other fabrics  (I’m using an orange print, 2 greens prints and a pink dot)
Buy another 1/3 yard of one of the fabrics for your binding.
 Fabric needed for the backing is 1-3/4 yards
*There is also an optional step in this Stitch -a-long that will require another fabric that will contrast somewhat with the rest. You’ll need about 3/4 yard.
 

But be sure to visit her blog, her fabrics choices are pictured and she has suggestions about choosing your fabrics.

And she has a fantastic list of reasons to go fabric shopping!

We’ll announce our first pattern giveaway a little later today (later this morning?).  

Keep up with us on our QuiltersWarehouse Facebook Page so you don’t miss anything!

That’s right!   We’re giving away THREE patterns by MH Designs!  

THE THREE PATTERNS:

Four Toy Ornaments  made to look like old fashioned glass ornaments…aren’t they cute?!   Embellishments are added to make them a bit 3-D.  The rocking horse tail is several strands of floss, as are the pig-tails on the doll.  The truck has buttons for wheels and the drumsticks have little buttons on the ends.

A stack of quilts is just the right place for a Cat Nap.  Traditional blocks are visible on the folded quilts… flying geese, star, and square in a square.

Double Paw is a variation on the Bear Paw quilt block.   You can make a small lap quilt, a runner and a single block wallhanging.

THE RULES:

Leave a comment on this post telling us which pattern you’ll probably make first.  You have until Friday midnight.  US residents only. A random number generator will select the winner from all eligible comments.  

THE DISCOUNT:

All this week 10% off any and all MH Designs patterns.  Use coupon code:  DS001

Mary Herschleb has over a hundred patterns (yikes!), and they are all paper piecing patterns.  If you have never tried paper piecing before, an MH Designs pattern is a great one to use for your first.  Mary’s instructions are very clear and concise.  Each pattern includes basic instructions for beginners, plus a sample of a simple pine tree for you to try so you can get the hang of things before you start the actual pattern.    Each pattern not only has clear and concise step-by-step directions, but also easy to follow cutting instructions. 

With projects as small as Christmas ornaments, like the Christmas Kittens . . .

as large as a lap quilt like Crossed Canoe . . .

and everything in between; there is something for everyone.   Some of the patterns are just right for a beginner and experienced paper piecers will find many satisfying projects.

Many of the patterns are for wall hangings and cover all the seasons.  Some are flower themed, others feature animals… some of these are tongue-in-cheek and will definately ellicit smiles.  Still other wallhangings showcase favorite vacation spots or outdoor pasttimes such as golf or gardening. 

We’ll be giving away six patterns by MH Designs in the next week or two.   Our “early bird” winner will be drawn from any comment made in the first two days this week.  A random number generator will select the winner.  Make sure your e-mail address is correct when you comment!

The first pattern to be given away - the “early bird” prize – is Backyard Friends

A bird sitting in front of his bird house, a bee buzzing around, and a few tulips in a pot (is that a lady bug on the flower pot?) make a cute wallhanging.  By the time you finish this pattern you’ll be hooked on paper piecing if you aren’t already. 

Comments left before midnight tomorrow (Tuesday) will be entered in the giveaway.  Good luck and be sure to check back later this week for more giveaways!  We will also have an interview with Mary.   Do you have any quilts that you made with a pattern from MH Designs?  We’d love to see a photo of them on our Facebook Page.